US3740705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submerged object warning apparatus for ships
Assignee: Navico Inc
•
Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A submerged object warning apparatus for ships having a transmitter for transmitting short bursts of sonic energy at equal time spaced intervals, a receiver for detecting reflections of transmitted sonic energy, a time switch circuit connected to the receiver providing an output signal when reflected sonic energy is received within a preselected time, a frequency comparison circuit connected to the transmitter and receiver providing a signal output when a reflected signal is received of a frequency different from the transmitter frequency, a gate circuit connected to the timed circuit output and the frequency comparison circuit output providing an output signal when a reflected signal is received within the preselected time from an object having relative motion to the transmitter, and a warning device connected to and actuated by the gate circuit output.
Inventors
- 👤 D Lowrance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/72; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/937; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A submerged object warning apparatus for ships, comprising in combination: transmitting means for transmitting short bursts of sonic energy at equal time spaced intervals; receiving means for detecting reflections of transmitted sonic energy; timer switch circuit means connected to said receiving means providing an output signal when reflected sonic energy is received within a preselected time indicating a reflection producing object within a preselected distance; a frequency comparison means connected to said transmitting means and said receiving means providing a signal output when a reflected signal is received at a frequency different from the transmitted frequency indicating reflections from an object having motion relative to said transmitting means; a gate circuit connected to receive said timer switch circuit means output and said frequency comparison means output providing an output signal when a reflection signal is received within said preselected time from an object moving relative to said transmitting means; and a warning device connected to and actuated by said gate circuit output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A submerged object warning apparatus for ships, comprising in combination: transmitting means for transmitting short bursts of sonic energy at equal time spaced intervals; receiving means for detecting reflections of transmitted sonic energy; timer switch circuit means connected to said receiving means providing an output signal when reflected sonic energy is received within a preselected time indicating a reflection producing object within a preselected distance; a frequency comparison means connected to said transmitting means and said receiving means providing a signal output when a reflected signal is received at a frequency different from the transmitted frequency indicating reflections from an object having motion relative to said transmitting means; a gate circuit connected to receive said timer switch circuit means output and said frequency comparison means output providing an output signal when a reflection signal is received within said preselected time from an object moving relative to said transmitting means; and a warning device connected to and actuated by said gate circuit output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submerged object warning apparatus for ships according to claim 1 including a near object indicator connected to and actuated by said timer switch circuit means output indicating a reflection producing object within said preselected distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A submerged object warning apparatuS for ships according to claim 1 including a closing indicator connected to and actuated by said frequency comparison means output indicating a reflection producing object moving relative to said transmitting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A submerged object warning apparatus for ships according to claim 1 including: a near object indicator connected to and actuated by said timer switch circuit means output indicating a reflection producing object within said preselected distance; and a closing indicator connected to and actuated by said frequency comparison means output indicating a reflection producing object moving relative to said transmitting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A submerged object warning apparatus for ships according to claim 1 wherein said transmitting means includes: an oscillator having an output providing a continuous output at a selected frequency for transmitting sonic energy in water; a trigger generator providing spaced trigger pulses; a transmitter gate connected to said oscillator output and said trigger generator providing an output pulse; a transmitting amplifier having an input connected to receive said transmitter gate output pulse providing an amplified transmission pulse output;and a transducer connected to said transmitting amplifier pulse output for converting electrical transmission energy into sonic energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3152326A
Cited
US2974304A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |